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8 ways in which your body changes after first-time sex

If what happens after first time sex is a question that is bothering you, then we got you! Here is how your body will react after you have sex for the first time.
Your body is going to change once you become sexually active! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Published by Chetna Pattnaik
Updated On: 22 Aug 2024, 01:16 pm IST

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The firsts are always special, the first date, the first kiss, and of course, the first time sex. Not just your relationship, but your body, too, experiences a multitude of changes after the first time you have sex. Your body changes after sex. Some of the first time sex changes include very physical symptoms of spotting, pain as well as a burning sensation. While these effects of first sex might be alarming for you, fret not, as these first sex reactions by the body are natural. While these changes differ from person to person, here’s what happens after sex to a woman.

8 things that can happen to you after having sex

Here are some of the first sex reactions your body might be throwing up your way.

1. You might be in pain

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 75 percent of women have painful sex at some point in their lives. Painful sex is a real thing and there could be a variety of different reasons for it. However, the reasons are pretty fairly common and nothing to be scared of.
You could be experiencing the pain due to your hymen being stretched. It could be a physical sign of losing virginity. It could also be because of a lack of lubrication due to vaginal dryness. This could occur due to a phenomenon called vaginismus which is an involuntary tightening of the pelvic muscles that makes it impossible for anything to enter the vagina. It has a typical association with anxiety seeding from strict and religious upbringing, the baggage of trauma, or even just apprehension.

Sometimes, if you have already orgasmed during sex, it could cause you to experience cramps in your uterus. It is the oxytocin release in the body that causes uterine contractions and hence, the pain.

2. There might be spotting

According to Canadian Medical Association Journal, about 0.7 to 9 percent of women have bleeding after sex. The very first after first sex effects in the female body is spotting. You might bleed after sex. But relax, it is absolutely fine. You might bleed when you have penetrative sex for the first time and that could be because of your hymen breaking. The hymen is a thin piece of skin covering the entrance of the vagina. This can be regarding as a physical sign of losing virginity.

Spotting is as common as not spotting is. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

The hymen breaks quite easily and sex doesn’t have to be the only reason why it breaks. It could break because of extensive physical activities such as horse riding and other sports, or even using tampons. A broken hymen doesn’t necessarily mean that your virginity is lost.

Apart from that, if you find a little bit of spotting, it could be due to the inflammation of the cervix that gets contracted during sex or due to vaginal tearing if you are having rough sex. The blood coming from an inflamed cervix or vaginal tears is normally bright red. If it’s darker in colour, it is probably residual blood from your periods.

3. You might feel a burning sensation

One of the first time intercourse side effects might also be a burning sensation. It’s okay if you feel a burn when you make a trip to the washroom post-sex. The urethra and the vagina are closely situated. The vaginal stretch or tear could be causing a temporary burning sensation. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that three out of four women go through this. However, if you experience this discomfort for days, it could be something serious.

4. You might experience itching

If you are annoyed by the urge to scratch an itch after sex, you are probably allergic or sensitive to the condom that you used. It could also be sensitivity to lube if you have used any.

Lubes can make your sexual experience painless and more pleasurable but its important that they are compatible with your skin. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5. You might get a urinary tract infection

In the process of having sex, a transfer of bacteria from the bowel to the vaginal cavity and up to the urethra can happen. This could be the cause of a painful UTI that can cause itching and a burning sensation.

6. The size of your nipples and clitoris might change

One of the important changes in body after sex is that your nipples and clitoris might swell. Your nipples are filled with nerve endings which get riled up when you are aroused. They cause the blood vessels to dilate and the tissue in your breasts to swell up. This sexual stimulation also leads to erection in your nipples.

Your clitoris swells up due to sexual stimulation. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Similarly, once you start having sex, you will have your clitoris swell up during the act. It will, however, return to its normal size within a few minutes. This happens due to increased blood flow in the pelvic region.

7. You’ll feel the surge of happy hormones

This study, published in The Society for Personality and Social Psychology, states that having sex once a week is enough to make people happy. There are many hormonal changes after sex. What happens after sex is that your body starts experiencing increased blood flow and muscular tension in places like your nipples, areola and clitoris. Upon getting aroused, you get goosebumps, your areola swells, and the nipples become hard. All of these contribute to your orgasm, all thanks to the oxytocin release happening in your brain.

8. Your vaginal elasticity will change

One of the changes in the female body after losing virginity is that your vagina knows how to adjust its elasticity. The walls and lips of your vagina slowly open up upon arousal. Don’t worry, your vagina is meant to expand and get you ready for sex.

Summary

While the first intercourse can be an exciting time for a couple, you might experience some first time sex changes in your body. From a burning sensation, to spotting and even pain, first time sex can be a tricky time for a woman. However, your may also experience a surge of happy hormones. Vaginal itching and a UTI are also common effects of first sex.

FAQs

Does everyone experience pain during first-time sex?

No first time sex is not painful for everyone. While some women may experience pain the first time they have sex, others might not.

How long do the changes last after first-time sex?

The hymen is stretched and broken after first time sex. This might cause some bleeding. However, pain and bleeding should subside in about 10 days.

What changes in a woman during sex?

There is increased blood flow in the vagina and it will swell. The vaginal walls might even turn darker. The clitoris becomes very sensitive at this point of time.

Can sex change your physical appearance?

No, sex has no connection to how you look or your physical experience.

About the Author
Chetna Pattnaik

Understanding fitness the hard way, Chetna has finally learnt to strike a balance between her protein shake and her beer and making room for her writing desk and her gym at the same time.

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